The Airdrie and District Hospice Society (ADHS) will be hosting its second annual virtual Hike for Hospice throughout the month of May to raise funds and awareness for palliative care patients and their families.
The online event is part of National Hospice Palliative Care Week, which is recognized across Canada, but proceeds raised will go directly toward in-home compassionate care support in Airdrie and the surrounding area.
“Our hope is that [Hike for Hospice] raises awareness in our community that is much needed,” said Lise Blanchette, executive director of ADHS. “[We also hope] that people realize that there is support in our community for those that are going through end of life.”
For the last 10 years, ADHS has provided free services to palliative patients and families in Airdrie and surrounding communities through its Compassionate Care Fund and respite care for caregivers, along with grief support to those who have lost a loved one. The society aims to keep palliative care clients close to home, and operates mainly thanks to donations and fundraising, including events like the annual Hike for Hospice.
“Donations mean that all of our services and programs are free and they always have been and we hope to maintain that concept throughout,” Blanchette said, adding her goal for the hike is that the community will see the value of local grief support, palliative care and hospice care.
“I think with the impact of COVID and the number of losses over the last year that people are more aware of that, but we want them to know that there is support in their own community,” Blanchette said. She added the hike will be a way of bringing the community together while allowing participants to stay safe within their own cohorts.
COVID-19 regulations have halted many of the society’s in-person care services, and fundraising events like Hike for Hospice have been adapted to accommodate a virtual and distanced audience.
According to Blanchette, while the Hike for Hospice will launch May 2 on Zoom, the participants can select any day of the month of May to walk, run, or cartwheel inside or outdoors – and pets are welcome to participate too.
"We invite [participants] to self-organize individually or in team bubbles selecting their own safewalk group near home or at any time that's convenient for them,” said Blanchette, who noted the amount of physical effort a participant puts in is up to them.
“They can do five kilometers on the treadmill, push-ups, sit-ups or other movement, ride their bike, or walk around the block with their dog five times and call that a milestone.”
ADHS encourages participants to bring their dogs along and register them for their team, Blanchette said, as the event includes a costume contest for both pets and people. The society invites participants to upload photos of their costumes and activities on social media using the hashtag #HikeforHospice2021 and tag @AirdrieHospice.
Those who would like to be a part of the May 2 launch can request ADHS’ Zoom link by emailing [email protected]. To register to participate in Hike for Hospice, Blanchette recommends visiting airdriehospice.ca/hike-for-hospice
The registration fee is a $20 donation to the society. Donations will be accepted throughout May and can be made through Shaw Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink, which will match donations by up to 50 per cent.
"The whole hike is about getting the community engaged and it's also about raising funds to support the needs of those that we serve. [It] gives us a chance also to celebrate our accomplishments and the positive impact we've had on so many people in our community,” Blanchette said.
“I think the past year has been kind of tough for everybody, but we want people to know that we’re here for them and that we have made some successes, even though it’s been a rough year.”
